The Art of Hospitality

June11

When my sister, Judy, comes to visit us in a few weeks, she will be lucky if I have stocked the guest bath with toilet paper and put a few scraps of food in the fridge. But if Judy (or I!) had been lucky enough to have my friend Marsee as a sister, she would have had a different experience. Very, very different. Marsee is the Queen of Hospitality, making her guests feel like visiting royalty, whether they are there for a few hours or a weekend. So it wasn’t surprising to hear that when Marsee and Mike downsized to a smaller townhome, they knew that using their home’s smaller spaces to make guests feel welcomed would be a top priority.

Eat, drink and be merry

A few days ago, I received an invite that made me bounce with joy. Marsee was hosting a small luncheon for her mother and my dear friend Nancy, and I was invited to join the fun. Even though it was just the four of us, Marsee dressed the table grandly. She thought through every detail, from fresh flowers on the table to a mouthwatering menu, complete with sorbet to cleanse our palates between courses. So much for my diet!

When Marsee entertains in her smaller home, she has to get creative on how to serve food and drinks. She may greet guests at the door by inviting them to the patio, where a table filled with drinks and appetizers awaits them. This entry table also becomes a perfect place for appetizers.

A beautifully styled bar is always at the ready in the kitchen, so guests can help themselves.

A guestroom you’ll never want to leave

When I first saw Marsee’s guest room at her new townhouse, I wanted to check in for the weekend. It felt like a luxury resort. The bed was beautifully dressed. Snuggly white robes hung on the wall, to wrap up in after a steamy shower. A comfy reading chair awaited.

Marsee said she learned how to trick up a guest room from her mom. “My mom always had fancy snacks and water ready for guests, and a little gift on their pillow. She always made the guest room so inviting, with a drink area, snacks and things to read,” Marsee remembers. A stack of old suitcases holds a drinks service, with coffee, water and wine. A pedestal bowl by the bed is stocked with chocolate, nuts and breakfast bars. At night, Marsee even leaves milk and cookies on her guests’ nightstand.

Omgosh Marsee is so incredible. God bless her. I firmly believe there are people who come to this life to make others feel special and loved. You and Marsee are just that. God bless you both. How lovely. I love the touch of the little coffee maker in the room. Gonna have to steal that. xoxo Lisa Mercado-Fernandez

LET’S TALK DECORATING

One of the best parts of owning Nell Hill's has been spending more than 30 years talking with friends and customers about their homes. I love to hear what you all are doing in your homes to make them unique, beautiful, a place that fills you up.

As I talk with everyone who visits Nell Hill's, I've found that lots of us face the same decorating dilemmas and are curious how others have solved them... We love to hear about new trends and techniques in the world of interior design...and we are always looking for ideas and inspiration to infuse our spaces with style. So, I decided to start a weekly blog that allows us to dig in together and talk about our homes, decorating and life.

I hope you will enjoy Style at Home! Please, join the conversation and share your ideas, challenges and successes. My best inspiration come from all of you!